Push-button operated combination locks



Oct. 4, 1966 Flleu Oct. 25, 1965 A. C. SAN OWSKIS PUSH-BUTTON OPERATED COMBINATION LOCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VE/V TOR A TT'URNEYS Oct, 4, 1966 A. c. sANowsKxs 3,276,231

PUSHBUTTON OPERATED COMBINATION LOCKS Filea Oct. 25, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jlllli'l;

INVENTOR A TTOR/VE Y5 United States Patent 3,276,231 PUSH-BUTTON OPERATED COMBINATION LOCKS Albert C. Sanowskis, 7321 S. Shore Drive, Chicago, Ill. Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,775 11 Claims. (Cl. 70313) The invention concerned herein is a continuation-inpart of my co-pending US. patent application Serial No. 395,372 filed September 10, 1964, and entitled Push-Button Operated Combination Locks.

This invention relates generally to push-button operated combination locks provided with a lock controlling device shiftable step by step in one direction by the operation of selected keys or buttons in a predetermined program and when the said buttons are operated in other than said program, a disabling movement of said lockcontrol'ling device is effected to prevent the placing of the lock in a lock-open condition, and said lock also being provided with resetting means for said controlling device.

More particularly, the herein invention is concerned with improvements in those push-button operated combination lock structures which are to be utilized for example, as automobile door locks, whereby the lock structure is provided with a mechanism for duplicating the resultant motion of a key in an automobile door lock simultaneously with the operation of resetting means for said device so as to eliminate the need for a key.

The combination lock structures concerned include a lock controlling device which comprises a pair of shiftable flat slides each being of comb-like configuration and frictionally held in place side by side within a housing. Each slide is provided with tines having cam surfaces at their free ends. The cam surfaces are arranged whereby when the keys or push-buttons are actuated, levers associated with said keys or push-buttons engage the cam surfaces of the tines to shift the slides. The cam surfaces of selected tines of one slide face in one direction and are aligned with like directed cam surfaces of the other slide whereby actuation of the levers against said aligned cam surfaces serves to move both slides co'njointly and in aligned condition. The remaining cam surfaces of all tines of both slides are arranged whereby actuation of one of the levers thereagainst reverses the direction in which both slides move or shifts only one or the other of the slides, thereby to misalign the same. Since the slides are misaligned, the keyed cam surfaces are also misaligned. Hence, the slides cannot further be moved in their originally aligned side by side condition conjointly unless and until the slides are realigned.

A spring biased latch bolt control means is provided, one end of which is coupled to the latch bolt and the 0pposite end thereof is in bearing relation against the planar surface of the facing side. The slides are provided each with a passageway at a predetermined location thereon spaced from the tined portion and situated in the otherwise planar portion thereof. When the slides are aligned, the passageways are aligned. When the slides are misaligned, the passageways are in like condition, misaligned. As the slides are moved in one direction, the said bolt control means remains in bearing relation against the planar slide surface. Such arrangement prevents the latch bolt from retracting. A certain number of steps by step movements of said slides are required pursuant to the programmed or predetermined keyed operation of the push buttons in the preselected sequence thereof, to move the slides until the said control means is aligned with the passageways and, because of its being underspring tension,

1 passes therethrough. ,The passage of the bolt control means through the aligned passageways of the slides releases the latch bolt and generally enables the latch bolt to retract into the housing thereof to release the latch 3,276,231 Patented Oct. 4, 1966 engaging portion thereof from the latch and permit opening of the door.

The lock construction described in the said co-pending application also provides spring means capable simultaneously of resetting the slides and withdrawing the bolt control means from engagement through the aligned passageways. Such means was generally in the form of a scissors spring or lever having a pair of divergent arms. When a reset push-button was depressed, means carried thereby acted upon the divergent arms of the spring to converge the same. The slides were provided with lug means disposed between said divergent arms. When the reset button was actuated, said means carried thereby acted upon the scissors spring means to converge the normally divergent arms thereof, which arms in the course of their travel, bear against the lug means and carry the slides to a predetermined initial position in relative aligned condition. Second spring means were provided which, simultaneously, upon actuation of said button, caused the withdrawal of the bolt end from said passageways and thus to allow the slides to be moved to reset the same to original condition with the bolt control means engaged, frictionally, against the planar surface of the facing slide.

The co-pending application also disclosed an embodiment of the 'lock structure which was particularly adapted for use with automobile doors. In such embodiment, the number of push buttons were reduced from those structures used on residential or commercial doors. The latch bolt control means provided was in the form of a multibent band or leaf spring, the reset button provided in said automobile door embodiment was operable upon completion of the slide movement to a lock-open position to enable the door to be opened by releasing the latch simultaneously to reset the racks and withdraw the 'latch bolt control means from the aligned passageways.

One of the advantages in using a combination lock of the character described is to eliminate the necessity for use of keys. Keys are lost or otherwise misplaced, stolen, easily duplicated and, on many occasions, key operated locks are more prone to tampering and unauthorized attempts at entry. The combination lock structures disclosed and claimed in my earlier now co-pending patent application Was effective to prevent unauthorized entry but, was expensive to fabricate and assemble, as well as sometimes being difficult to be incorporated successfully in the conventional automobile door. In an automobile door, a latch immobilizing device such as a lock set button is provided interior of the automobile which, when depressed, prevents entry from the exterior of the automobile. A key is required to lift said lock set button from its depressed condition from the exterior of the automobile. conventionally the movement of such key is a rotary one usually operating to actuate a cam mechanism or other properly articulated linkage to lift the depressed look set button.

To adapt the combination lock of the character described particularly for use on automobile doors, it is desirous that means be provided whereby the use of keys is rendered unnecessary as a means for gaining access to the door.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved mechanism for duplicating the resultant motion of -a key in an automobile lock, thus obviating any requirement for use of such key and thereby rendering the push-button operated combination lock of the character concerned more adaptable for use on conventional automobile doors.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism, in combination with a push-button operated combination lock, for duplicating the resultant motion of a .key in an automobile lock simultaneously with the reproper sequential manipulation of the push-buttons in order to place the lock in a lock-open condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pushbutton operated combination lock which comprises a plurality of push-buttons adapted to be depressed in accordance with a pro-selected program, rectilinearly rnovable lock controlling means driven by said buttons and having recesses adapted to align only when the preselected program has been followed, latch controlling means normally held in a first position when the recesses are not aligned but movable to a second position when the recesses are aligned, a lock control mechanism, actuating means confined for rectilinear movement and adapted to be manually pushed to operate said lock control mechanism, a coupling structure having limited rotary movement connected with said lock control mechanism and adapted selectively to be coupled with the actuating means, but only when said recesses are aligned and said coupling structure having a part thereof effective to enable said coupling as a result of engagement by said latch controlling means.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a mechanism of the character described which is operable by actuation of the reset button provided in the pushbut-ton operated combination lock whereby actuation of said button in every or any position of the slides except the lock open position has no effect upon the means for duplicating the resultant motion, for example, of the key in an automobile lock, so as to release a latch immobilizing means, such as a lock-set button for an automobile, from its effective state but only after the proper actuating sequence of buttons-has been practiced and the slides are in a lock-open condition. The mechanism contemplated by the invention permits the actuation of the reset button simultaneously to reset the slides, withdraw the bolt from the slides and actuate a propellor-like device which in turn transmits a rotational movement to a control mechanism for releasing the lock.

Other objects and advantages of the herein invention will become evident as a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that many minor variations in dimensions and arrangement of the component parts herein described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective of an automobile illustrating the lock assembly according to the invention installed on a door thereof.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the novel actuating mechanism of the invention with the lock shown in lock-set condition.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top view of a slightly modified lock structure in accordance with the invention and illustrated in the open condition thereof.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but within the novel actuating mechanism in open condition, the phantom outline of the actuating mechanism in its condition shown in FIG. 2 to illustrate the changes in the arrangement of the component elements between the two operating conditons.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section taken along line 55 of FIG. 3 and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sect-ion taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates the combination lock structure 10 as installed on a door 12 of an automobile 14. The automobile door 12 is opened by the depression of conventional push-button 16. A latch immobilizing device such as lock-set button 18 is provided interior of the door 12. When depressed, the lock-set button 18 prevents the opening of the door on depression of the button 16. The combination lock 10 is operated by the sequential movement of selected ones of the five key buttons provided. Until the proper sequence of said key buttons have been operated, depression of button 16 will not operate to open the car door 12 when the door is in the locked state.

The combination lock it) includes a housing 20 suitably mounted on the door 12 preferably in the location conventionally occupied by the key operated lock of an automobile door. The housing 20 includes a main body portion 22 having a face 24 and a rear wall 26. The housing 20 is completed by L-shaped cover member 28 comprised of portions 28 and 28 and secured onto body 22 by suitable fastening means (not shown).

Suitable passageways are provided in body 22 through face 24 to permit disposition of key buttons 30 and 32 outward of the face 24-. Suitable means are provided in body 212 to amount the lock controlling device 34 for movement as will be described hereinafter.

With respect to the keys or push-buttons 3i and 32, keys 32 shall be hereinafter referred to as the number keys which are operated in the predetermined sequence to place the lock in lock-open condition. Key button 30 shall be referred to hereinafter as the reset button, its ordinary function being to cause return of the lock controlling means 34 to the lock-close condition.

The lock controlling means 34 utilized in the described embodiments of the invention comprises a pair of slides 36 and 38 arranged side by side frictionally engaged in juxtaposed relationship, one relative to the other and in aligned condition. The slides 36 and 38 are substantially identical to the equivalent slides or racks described in my co-pending application. Likewise the operation of said slides are again substantially identical to the operation of the slides or racks disclosed in my co-pending application. Each of the slides 36 and 38 is of flat comb-like configuration, each of which has a plurality of tines 40, a planar surface 42 and a slot 44 formed in the planar surface closely adjacent the transverse edge of said slides. The passageways or recesses 44 of said slides are aligned when the slides are in aligned disposition. Also provided on each of said slides is a lug 46 extending outward from one longitudinal edge 48 of the slide. Edge 48 is opposite that edge 49 toward which the recessor passageway 44 extends. The lugs 46 are disposed between the slot 44 and the beginning of the series of tines 40. The location of both passageway 44 and lugs 46 is predetermined for purposes which will be described hereinafter.

For the purpose of clarity, reference has been made to a lock-open condition and to a lock-closed condition. By lock-open condition it is meant that condition When the latch cotrolling means is released with the latch bolt released or capable of release from the latch of the door subsequent to the operation of the key buttons in proper sequence to pass the latch bolt control means through the aligned openings of the slides. By the lock-closed condition, it is intended that condition where the latch bolt control means bears against the imperforate portion of the slide facing same so as to prevent the latch engaging portion of the latch bolt from being withdrawn from the latch by manipulations occurring exterior of the closure protected by said lock 10.

As discussed in my co-pending application, the lock control means 34 is actuated by the depression, selectively, in a predetermined program, of select ones of said push-buttons 32. The tines 40 are each provided with cam surfaces 50 and 52 respectively inclined in opposing directions. Spring means comprising springs 54, 56 and wire springs 58 are disposed interior of body 22 in suitable chambers formed therein. Each pushbutton 32 acts upon one end of respective spring 54 to urge the terminal arm 57 thereof into engagement with one or the other of said cam surfaces 50 and 52. De-

pending upon the relative locations of cam surfaces 50 and 52, only certain of the same are aligned when the respective slides are likewise juxtaposed in aligned condition. Irnpingement of arm 57 on these specific cam surfaces will cause movement of the racks conjointly and in aligned condition in the direction of arrow A. So long as the racks move conjointly, p-asageways 44 will remain aligned.

If the cam surfaces 50 or 5-2 are not aligned or are facing in the opposite direction so that the bearing of arm 57 thereagainst will cause movement of the slides in an opposite direction to that indicated by arrow A, the slides will either be forced in said opposite direction or will be moved relative one to the other and thereby misaligned, misaligning passageways 44 thereof.

What is referred to as a latch controlling means or a bolt controlling means in the co-pending application has its equivalent in the herein construction. Such equivalent structure comprises a leaf or band spring 60 of convoluted configuration which includes a base portion 62 afiixed to the rear face 30 of reset button 30. Base portion 62 is of wedge-like outline, the wider portion thereof being fastened by fastening means, i.e. screw 64, to the reset button 30 with the narrow portion terminating in a bend 66 integral with a median portion 68 extending normal relative to the base 62. The median portion 68 terminates in a U-shaped portion 70 extending in a direction parallel to the plane of the base portion 62. The bend 72 of portion 70 bears against the planar portion 42 of the slide 36 facing the same. The step by step movement of slides 36 and 38 in conjunction with the actuation of buttons 32 in a predetermined sequence will result in bend 72 hearing on planar portion 42 in a series of spaced increments until, on actuation of the last to be operated button of the sequence, recesses 44 are brought into alignment with portion 72 so that the latter passes therethrough. This places the lock in what has been defined as the lock-open condition.

The location of recess 44 on each slide is chosen so that a given number of steps or incremental movements will be required to align portion 70 of the spring 60 with said passageways 44. Until the portion 70 passes through the recesses 44, the latch bolt cannot be released from the latch by manipulations from the exterior of the door 12.

The portion 70 terminates in a terminal portion 74 which has a stubby upbent extension 76 at its free end. The convoluted spring 60 above described is tensed so that the integral portions 68, 70 and 74 thereof are biased normally to extend through passageways 44 in the direction indicated by arrow B. Therefore, so long as portion 72 bears against planar surface 42 of the slide 36, the spring 60 will be disposed against its normal bias and thus will snap through the passageways 44 when aligned therewith.

The reset mechanism utilized in look construction comprises a reset button 30 confined for rectilinear movement and having secured thereon a bifurcated member 80 having a pair of arms 82 and 84 whose inner edges 86 define a wedge-shaped slot 88. The arms 82 and 84 terminate at their free ends in inclined portions 90 and 92 extending relative one to the other in opposite direction. Scissors spring means 94 substantially identical to the scissors spring lever means described in my copending application is provided mounted to a post 96 fixed through a fixed portion of housing 16. The spring 94 has a pair of diverging arms 98 adapted to be converged when the button 30 is urged into the direction indicated by arrow C. Convergence of arms 98 is effected by the action of the wedge-shaped slot 88 thereupon as the reset button is depressed. Such convergence will direct the arms 98 against lugs 46. Said lugs 46 are located so that with the arms 98 converged, the slides 36 and 38 are disposed in their normal initial condition, the predetermined number of steps or increments again required to place the lock controlling device in lock-open condition. The operation of such reset means is more specifically described in my co-pending application, and hence reference will be made thereto for further details. The said reset means herein function also as actuating means effective to be coupled to lock control mechanism.

The invention herein most particularly concerns the provision of translating means, in a block of the character described, whereby rotative resultant movement of a key in a door lock is duplicated during resetting of the lock controlling device. As explained heretofore, the operation of reset button 30- will reset the lock mechanism to its initiate condition either upon the lock being placed in lock-open condition, or when the slides 36 and 38 are misaligned such as by operation of the buttons 32 in other than their predetermined sequence. Further, if the lock is in lock-open condition, with portion 72 passing through aligned passageways 44, according to the invention the operation of reset button 30 also will remove the latch bolt controlling means form the aligned passageways. However, if the slides 36 and 38 are merely misaligned, operation of button 30 will serve only to realign the same to their initiate condition.

In conventional automobile doors, for example, the lock control mechanism operates pursuant to the position of the lock set button 18 provided interior of the door and which is operable between two positions, depressed and raised. In raised condition of the lock set button 18, the door is unlocked and can be opened merely by depression of button 16. But when the button 18 is in depressed condition, such opening of the door from the exterior of the automobile is rendered impossible. The key utilized in conventional automobile door locks will cause the lock set button 18 to be raised if depressed and permit the locked door to be opened. This is accomplished by the rotative movement of the key when it is inserted and turned in the lock, being coupled to translate the movement to a shaft in a rotary movement to cause either a conventional properly articulated linkage or a cam mechanism to act to raise the lock set button 18. In the lock 10 concerned herein, the invention provides a coupling mechanism whereby rectilinear movement of the reset button 30 will result in the duplication of the rotative resultant movement, such as effected by a key in a conventional door lock. In this manner such movement will raise the butt-on 18 from its depressed condition and simltaneously reset the slides 36 and 38 so that the lock 10 is in its lockset condition when the door is closed.

The translating mechanism according to the invention concerned herein will be referred to generally by reference character and can be said to include an actuating means, a coupling structure for coupling the actuating means to the lock control mechanism and means whereby the said coupling means is rendered ineffective except on proper alignment of the recesses 44 with latch controlling means 60.

The coupling means comprise shaft 112 suitably journalled for rotative movement. The shaft 112 extends in a direction parallel to that indicated by arrow C. Mounted closely adjacent one end of shaft 112 is a propellor-like member 114 having a hub 116 and a pair of radially extending, oppositely disposed blades 118 and 118' of similar pitch. The blades each have an effective surface and an opposite ineffective surface as will be evident hereinafter. Mounted on the opposite end of shaft 112 is a lever arm 120 and a coil spring 122 having ends 124 and 126. The arm 120 is mounted ofi center on the shaft 112 with spring end 124 mounted thereto while spring end 126 is mounted to a fixed portion 128 of the housing. Tension on the spring 122 is chosen so that, normally, the ineffective surfaces of the blades 118 and 118 are presented in the path of the inclined portions 90 and 92 of arms 82 and 84. A vary-ing width slot 130 is provided in portion 28 of cover member 24 to accommodate passage of the portion 74) of the spring therethrough. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, and 6, the shaft 112 is journalled for rotation in a suitable opening 131 formed in cover member portion 28" of cover 28. The slot 130 extends transverse of portion 28 and from one edge thereof to the other terminating in portion 28". This arrangement permits the portion 7t) to ride back and forth in the terminal portion of the slot 130. When the slides are in their initiate condition or in any condition prior to ther lock-open condition, portion 72 of sprng portion 70 rides on planar portion 42 of slide 36 and thus the portion 76 of terminal portion 74 is biased away from the inclined blades 11.3 and 118. Therefore, in such condition, depression of the button 30, which is the reset button, merely causes the portion 76 to be driven past the blades 1118 and 118' and thus be ineffective to rotate the propellor M4 on shaft 112. The propellor 114 is arranged so that the inclined surfaces 90 and 92 are biased to pass through slots 132 and on the ineffective sides of the respective blades 118 and 118' when the button 30 is actuated. Thus, when the button 30 is urged in the direction indicated by arrow C, the inclined surfaces 0 and 92 miss the blades and hence are ineffective to rotate the propellor and thereby rotate the shaft 112.

However, when the slides 36 and 38 have been moved in stepwise fashion to their lock-open condition with portion 70 of the spring 60 passing through aligned passageways 44, the portion 76 bears against the blade 118' to rotate the same slightly to a position where the surfaces at and 92 will impinge against the effective inclined portions of said blades 118 and 118', thereby turning the propellor 114 and with it the shaft 112, when button 30 is urged in the direction indicated by arrow C. Axial rota tion of the shaft 112 in the direction of arrow D in turn causes the arm 120 to be pivoted by rotation of same relative to said shaft 112, and hence causes the long end of said arm 120 to move in a direction F normal to the direction indicated by arrow C. This movement in turn effects movement of an articulated linkage 142, only a part of which is shown and which causes the lock set button 18 to be raised. Simultaneously, of course, the incursion of the wedge-shaped slot 88 against the divergent arms 98 of spring 94 causes the slides to be reset to their initial condition. Movement of the articulated linkage 142 permits the release of the latch from the door jambs and opening of the door from the exterior of the automobile M by depression of button 16.

It is believed that the invention has been described with sufficient particularity to enable the skilled artisan to practice same and obtain the advantages thereof. It should also be understood that the useful practice of the invention is not limited to automobile door locks since member 121? may be coupled to other than the lock immobilizing device so as to perform other operations. Minor variations in size and configuration, organization of parts and number thereof are contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

ll. A pushbutton operated combination lock which comprises a plurality of pushbuttons adapted to be depressed in accordance with a pre-selected program, rectilinearly movable lock controlling means driven by said buttons and having recesses adapted to align only when the preselected program has been followed, latch controlling means normally held in a first position when the recesses are not aligned but movable to a second position when the recesses are aligned, a lock control mechanism including a latch immobilizing device, actuating means confined for rectilinear movement and adapted to be manually pushed to operate said lock control mechanism, a coupling structure having limited rotary movement connected with said lock control mechanism and adapted selectively to be coupled with the actuating means, but only when said recess 5 are aligned and said coupling structure having a part thereof effective to enable said coupling as a result of engagement by said latch controlling means.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said actuating means includes a cam member and said coupling means comprises a shaft arranged for rotation, follower means fixedly mounted on the shaft, spring means normally to bias said follower means in a non-coupling condition with said cam member, second coupling means fixedly mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith for coupling the shaft to said lock control mechanism and said latch control means including a member operable upon said follower means to place same in a coupling condition with said cam member only upon the aforesaid alignment of recesses.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises a shaft journalled for rotation, at least one inclined blade mounted radially outward of said shaft and disposed to intercept the actuating means when the lock is in open condition, an arm on the shaft rotatable therewith and spring means to bias the blade normally in other than intercepting condition and said latch controlling means including an extension operable upon said inclined blade only when said lock is in lock open condition to move said blade to intercepting condition, said extension otherwise bypassing said blade, said shaft carrying a coupling linkage mounted for rotation therewith and operable to release said immobilizing device.

4. A structure as claimed in claim 2 in which said latch control means comprises a spring member of convoluted configuration having an end portion secured to said actuating means, a second portion biased to pass through said so aligned recesses and a terminal portion arranged to engage said follower only when the second portion is in its normal biased position to place said follower in intercepting relation to said cam member.

5. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said latch controlling means comprises a spring of convoluted configuration having an end portion and a terminal extension, said end portion secured to the actuating means, said terminal extension adapted to engage said part of said coupling structure to render sarne effective to enable said coupling only when the recesses are so aligned.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said coupling structure comprises a shaft arranged for rotation, a first member mounted on said shaft to cause rotation thereof and a second member mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, spring means normally to arrange the first member in uncoupled condition and said first member being driven against said spring bias to a coupled condition with said actuating means only when said latch controlling means assumes its second position.

7. A structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said actuating means comprises a pushbutton, and cam means mounted to said pushbutton and movable therewith, and said coupling structure comprises a shaft mounted for rotation, a pair of blades radially mounted to said shaft, said blades being of like pitch but disposed diametrically opposite one relative to the other, linkage means mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith and spring means mounted between said blades and said linkage means to bias said blades in non intercepting relationship with said cam means, said latch controlling means comprising an elongate member of convoluted configuration having an end portion and a terminal extension, said end portion being secured to said pushbutton and said extension adapted to engage said blades to rotate same into intercepting condition relative to said cam means only when the said recesses so align.

8. In a pushbutton operated combination lock of the character described coupled to a latch immobilizing device, which lock has a plurality of pushbuttons requiring the depression of certain of said pushbuttons in a predetermined pro-gram to effect the change of said lock from an initial locked condition to an open condition, and including a lock controlling device coupled to said pushbuttons and shiftable step by step in one direction to pass a latch controlling device therethrough to permit release of the latch but only upon depression of the said chosen pushbuttons in a predetermined program and wherein depression of said pushbutons in other but the predetermined program serves to disable the lock controlling device and which includes means for resetting the lock controlling device to the initial locked condition comprising scissors lever means operable on the lock controlling device, said latch controlling device being withdrawn from said lock controlling device simultaneously with operation of said scissors l'ever means to release said lock controlling device for resetting, and actuating means operative simultaneously on both the scissors lever means and said latch controlling device, and wherein said lock controlling device comprises at least a pair of flat slides of comblike configuration frictionally held in place side by side within a housing for conjoined shifting movement toward the lock open condition and relative disabling movement thereof; the invention which comprises a coupling structure located between the actuating means and the latch immobilizing device for duplicating the resultant rotative motion of a key normally to release the latch immobilizing device simultaneously with the operation of said actuating means, said coupling structure arranged to be rotated by rectilinear movement of the actuating means and link means mounted on said coupling structure and operable by such rotation upon the latch immobilizing device.

9. The structure as claimed in claim 8 in which said coupling structure comprises a pair of pitched blades disposed in the path of said actuating means, said blades operable between two conditions, the first condition occurring with one inclined surface arranged to be by-passed by said actuating means and the second condition occurring when the opposite inclined surface is disposed to be moved by said actuating means whereby rectilinear movement of said actuating means when the blades are in their second condition is translated to rotative movement of said blades, said blade-s being mounted on a shaft and said link means also being mounted on the shaft for rotation with said shaft.

10. The structure as claimed in claim 8 in which the coupling structure comprises a shaft journalled for rotation, a pair of blades mounted to said shaft for rotation therewith, said blades disposed to extend in diametrical opposite directions and each being inclined at like but relatively opposite pitch, said blades disposed to intercept the actuating means when the lock controlling device is in open condition and to be by-passed by said actuating means when the lock controlling device is in other than lock open condition, said shaft carrying said link means.

11. The structure as claimed in claim 8 in which the coupling structure comprises a propeller-like member mounted for rotational movement, a shaft carrying said propeller device, said link means being mounted to said shaft, and said propeller device being disposed to rotate between two conditions, the first in intercepting position relative to said actuating means and the second in bypassed position relative to said actuating means and means operable with movement of said lock controlling device into its lock open condition whereby to place said propeller-like device in its intercepting condition.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,185,468 5/1916 Borg 313 2,029,080 1/1936 Mills 70-313 X 2,346,513 4/ 1944 Sidelinker 703 13 X 2,750,786 6/ 1956 Sandwskis 703 13 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PUSHBUTTON OPERATED COMBINATION LOCK WHICH COMPRISES A PLURALITY OF PUSHBOTTONS ADAPTED TO BE DEPRESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PRE-SELECTED PROGRAM, RECTILINEARLY MOVABLE LOCK CONTROLLING MEANS DRIVEN BY SAID BUTTONS AND HAVING RECESSES ADAPTED TO ALIGN ONLY WHEN THE PRESELECTED PROGRAM HAS BEEN FOLLOWED, LATCH CONTROLLING MEANS NORMALLY HELD IN A FIRST POSITION WHEN THE RECESSES ARE NOT ALIGNED BUT MOVABLE TO A SECOND POSITION WHEN THE RECESSES ARE ALIGNED, A LOCK CONTROL MECHANISM INCLUDING A LATCH IMMOBILIZING DEVICE, ACTUATING MEANS CONFINED FOR RECTILINEAR MOVEMENT AND ADAPTED TO BE MANUALLY PUSHED TO OPERATE SAID LOCK CONTROL MECHANISM, A COUPLING STRUCTURE HAVING LIMITED ROTARY MOVEMENT CON- 